T365 Recall: The most open Wimbledon tournament in history

World Cup fever is gripping the globe as it reaches the business end of the tournament.
One of the main themes of the 2018 edition in Russia has been the early departures of some of the top football playing nations.
Germany, Spain and Argentina all bowed out before the quarter-final stage, while four times champions Italy never even set foot in Russia.
But if you thought this kind of tournament, where anything can and seemingly does happen, was exclusive to football you would be sorely mistaken.
We see your Russia World Cup 2018 and raise you the Wimbledon 1973 men’s singles event.
Yes, this version of the only grass-court Grand Slam saw a whopping 81 professionals boycott the event in protest at the suspension of Yugoslavian number one Niki Pilic.
With 13 of the original 16 seeded players gone, it left the field wide open for any player to reach the final. Sound familiar, England fans?
And so it came to pass, as the weirdest Wimbledon tournament in history was won by Czechoslovakian Jan Kodes in his one and only appearance in the final at SW19.
For his vanquished opponent – Soviet Alex Metreveli – it would be his only ever Grand Slam final.
It may seem like 1973 was the worst Wimbledon ever with the lack of star players, the reigning champion Stan Smith not defending his crown, Ken Rosewall, John Newcombe and Arthur Ashe absent, and the field perforated by lucky losers.
But perhaps we shouldn’t focus too much on these factors.
In the long-term, this tournament has become one of the most important in tennis history.
The boycott was organised by the recently-formed Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), and the show of solidarity transferred power away from the national federations that once controlled players’ schedule.
Not to mention two of the standout young performers would use Wimbledon 1973 as a launching pad to bigger and better things.
Jimmy Connors reached the quarter-final, his joint-best result at a Slam at that point, before being knocked out by Metreveli.
And a teenage Bjorn Borg made it to the same stage in his first SW19 appearance, and we all know what he went on to do on those grass courts.
Jordan Mortimer-Jones
@JMortimerJones
Latest
-
News
Francisco Cerundolo eyeing remarkable family first ahead of Argentina Open final
Cerundolo is looking to emulate his younger brother Juan Manuel by winning his first ATP title.
-
WTA Tour
Classy Petra Kvitova in dominant form as she eases to Qatar Open title
Petra Kvitova stormed to her 28th career title and second at the Qatar Open win with a 6-2, 6-1 rout of Garbine Muguruza in Doha.
-
ATP Tour
WATCH: Roger Federer practices in Doha as he learns his fate in the draw
Roger Federer could face a clash against Britain’s Dan Evans in the first match of his comeback event in Doha.
-
ATP Tour
Andrey Rublev’s stunning run of form continues as beats Stefanos Tsitsipas
Andrey Rublev stirmed into his fourth straight ATP 500 final with a 6-3, 7-6(2) victory against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Rotterdam.
-
ATP Tour
Roger Federer sends fans crazy with a social media post ahead of his return to action
The moment Roger Federer fans have waited almost a years to see is nearly here as he prepares to return to action next week.
-
WTA Tour
Garbine Muguruza into the final in Qatar after Victoria Azarenka pulls out
Victoria Azarenka withdrew ahead of the Qatar Total Open semi-finals to send Garbine Muguruza.
-
ATP Tour
Stefanos Tsitsipas sets up showdown with Andrey Rublev in Rotterdam
Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the semi-finals of the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam.
-
News
Lawn Tennis Association determined to show commitment to inclusion and diversity
Seven people from diverse backgrounds have been appointed to the LTA Council.
-
Tennis News
Andy Murray’s tips on how to make sure you stay injury-free when tennis resumes after lockdown
Andy Murray is back with some tips.
-
Tennis Fun
WATCH: Kei Nishikori reveals he wanted to be a penguin when he was young
Kei Nishikori with some quality content.